Former Pakistan cricketer Ahmed Shehzad expressed his frustration after Pakistan's defeat to New Zealand in the Tri-Nation Series final, where they were handed a 5-wicket loss.
Shehzad, known for his remarks, took to his YouTube channel, sharply criticising the team’s decision-making, calling it "brainless." He particularly targeted captain Mohammad Rizwan, blaming him for poor leadership and questionable tactics.
Shehzad questioned the decision to bat first, highlighting that the pitch was more conducive to chasing teams in the evening. Despite knowing this, Rizwan and the team opted to bat, which Shehzad found baffling and unstrategic. He stressed that such mistakes could only be exploited if the opposing team underperformed or lacked key players.
Shehzad also warned that Pakistan's bubble had burst before the Champions Trophy. He pointed out that the team’s current strategy would not hold up in high-stakes matches, as evidenced by their poor performance in the final.
In his view, Pakistan’s chances of winning were slim if they continued to make such "childish" mistakes and relied on opposition errors. He urged the team to play to their strengths rather than making random decisions.
Additionally, Pakistan's batting unit struggled, with Babar Azam failing once again, and the team collapsed for just 242 runs.
In response, New Zealand comfortably chased the target with Tom Latham and Daryl Mitchell hitting half-centuries to secure the win with 4.4 overs to spare.
With the Champions Trophy 2025 approaching, Shehzad emphasized that Mohammad Rizwan and the team need to reflect on their decisions. If they continue to make such “brainless” calls, their road ahead could be difficult.
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